A rose by any other name? Transdisciplinarity in the context of UK research policy |
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| Institution: | 1. Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Old Surgeons’ Hall, High School Yards, Edinburgh EH1 1LZ, UK;2. Technology Development Group, Edengrove House, Dairsie, Fife KY15 4RP, UK;1. Dept of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London, EGHAM, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK;2. Dept of Limnology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria;1. Department of Philosophy, Michigan State University, 503 S. Kedzie Hall, 368 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States;2. Department of Philosophy, Boise State University, 141 Chrisway Annex #1, 2103 University Drive, Boise, ID 83725, United States;3. Department of Philosophy, University of Southern Indiana, 3044 Liberal Arts Center, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47712, United States;1. Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE), Hamburger Allee 45, 60486 Frankfurt/Main, Germany;2. keep it balanced, Brückenstraße 1, 10179 Berlin, Germany;3. LOEWE Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt/Main, Germany;1. Research Group Inter-/Transdisciplinarity, University of Basel, Program Man-Society-Environment (MGU), Vesalgasse 1, CH-4051 Basel, Switzerland;2. Research Group Inter-/Transdisciplinarity, University of Basel, Program Man-Society-Environment (MGU), Vesalgasse 1, 4051 Basel, Switzerland |
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| Abstract: | This paper assesses developments in transdisciplinary research in the UK. While we support the thesis that transdisciplinarity is still not mainstream and is rarely supported per se by funders of research, this paper examines the extent to which UK research policy has embraced the concept of transdisciplinarity. Five empirical case studies provide data about the interrelationship between the interdisciplinary and impact or knowledge exchange aspirations of Research Council UK (RCUK) investments. We find evidence that, to an extent, UK research funding policy is achieving some elements of transdisciplinarity in practice, if not in name.Drawing on broader debates about the limitations of knowledge mobilisation and the challenges of conducting interdisciplinary research, we reflect on how the situation has changed since our original 2004 paper. The evidence suggests that the absence of the ‘transdisciplinary’ label is not necessarily impeding the framing of research funding schemes oriented towards societal issues. Nevertheless, several areas where capacity-building is required, including training for early career interdisciplinary researchers; improved research leadership skills; and the capacity to evaluate the quality of transdisciplinary processes and to learn from such evaluations, are identified. |
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| Keywords: | UK Impact Knowledge exchange Transdisciplinarity Interdisciplinarity Knowledge mobilisation Training |
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